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22 February 2019

Here's how it works: The Recent Releases chart brings together critical reaction to new albums from more than 50 sources worldwide. It's updated daily. Albums qualify with 5 reviews, and drop out after 6 weeks into the longer timespan charts.

9.0 |
Uncut

["Around The Horn"] inflates over a final few minutes into something uniquely epic. ... Lyrically, it's pretty baffling where "These Rocks," one of the albums' standout tracks, is the most openly confessional song Houck has written, set to a churchy musical swell, congregational and healing, the sound of a lifetime burden lifted by love. Print edition only

9.0 |
Rolling Stone

8.5 |
The Line Of Best Fit

8.2 |
Paste Magazine

Houck sounds bemused but happy, like a man still learning to navigate and appreciate a whole new existence. No doubt, his beautiful and affecting music will grow with him—and help guide him
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8.0107573

8.0 |
The 405

Rather than being a tearjerker, C'est la Vie instead serves as something of a safeguard, a protective companion, a generous friend down paths of memory we may never have intended to traverse again, and that we'd shudder to travel alone. Phosphorescent's music is as giving and truly kind as ever
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7.0 |
Clash

7.0 |
All Music

At first this can feel less immediate than previous work, but much like Phosphorescent's winding journey, C'est La Vie burns slowly and leaves impressions both spiritual and sonic that merit repeat listens
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7.0107534

7.0 |
Slant Magazine

In finding a sense of serenity and calm in whatever life throws at him, Houck strikes a balance between happiness and longing that’s often nothing short of sublime
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6.8 |
Earbuddy

6.0 |
The Observer

6.0 |
The Irish Times

An Americana-tinged record that doesn’t reveal the secrets to happiness but celebrates the milestones that make a life
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5.8107571

5.8 |
Consequence Of Sound

C’est La Vie has moments of real beauty and depth while reflecting on fatherhood and settling down. But Houck should keep pushing into the strange, uncomfortable places where his best music gets made; now’s not the time to shrug it off
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5.0107763

5.0 |
Loud And Quiet

True to its name, ‘C’est La Vie’ hints at a carefree atmosphere, or an acceptance of the world as it is. Unfortunately, this also means that the album feels like it isn’t quite moving anywhere at all
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